Air Quality Alert: El Paso, TX Reaches Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Level
Areazine synthesizes this EPA air-quality advisory directly from EPA's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.
On February 13, 2026, air quality in El Paso, TX reached an AQI of 124, categorized as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups due to elevated PM10 levels.
What this EPA air-quality advisory tells you, and what most readers miss
This notice was issued by EPA on April 6, 2026 and geographically references El Paso, TX. Its severity classification of "low" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken - "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to - Air Quality - determines the informational context it sits in, and which agency or body is the authoritative source for updates.
Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to verify its scope, source, and timestamp, then compare related notices without assuming that one record proves a broader trend.
Areazine pairs this record with the original agency URL so you can check the primary source before acting. Its related labels are air-quality, epa, aqi, El Paso.
Current Air Quality
On February 13, 2026, the reporting area of El Paso, TX, recorded air quality levels reaching a maximum Air Quality Index (AQI) of 124. The primary pollutant driving this reading is PM10, which is currently in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category.
Additional pollutant readings for the area include:
- PM2.5: 75 (Moderate)
- Ozone (O3): 28 (Good)
What This Means
An AQI value of 124 falls into the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" category. This indicates that while the general public is not likely to be affected, individuals with pre-existing health conditions may experience health effects from breathing the air.
Who Should Take Precautions
The following groups are at an increased risk from exposure to PM10 at this level:
- People with heart or lung disease
- Older adults
- Children
What You Should Do
Members of sensitive groups should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. It is recommended to take more breaks and engage in less intense outdoor activities. The general public is less likely to be affected and can typically continue normal outdoor activities.
Source
Data provided by EPA AirNow.
Original source: EPA Official Notice ↗
Related Air Quality
All Air Quality →Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this EPA air-quality advisory.